So, you've got that new computer. You've heard that it was supposed to help you with learning. Well, even the best set of encyclopedias won't give you the correct answer(s) if they aren't used properly. This wiki will show you some of the shortcuts to help you on your educational journey.

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[edit] Steps

Find

Decide what exactly you want to learn. Do you want to learn software, how to make web pages, use graphics programs, etc?
Search. There are a lot of places to look for good courses.
- Search engines
- Ask people you know.
- Check out these following sites:
  - Virtual University^[1]
  - HP Online Classes^[2]
  - Leader in Virtual Studies^[3]
  - MIT Open Course Ware^[4]
  - Free Education online^[5]
  - Free online language courses^[6]
  - Test Prep Review^[7]
  - Not free, but low cost and with lots of choice: ed2go^[8]
Evaluate your options. What do you get for your dollar? Even though they are low cost, or free, will you get your money's worth? Your time's worth?
Work Hard. You only get out of it what you put into it. If you just print the lessons out, but don't look at them, or if you do, don't do them...what good are they?
Keep in mind that some programs actually issue CEs (Continuing Education units). If your career would be helped by continuing education, is this something that would help you in that aspect?
Realize that some online classes are courses and are simply a matter of downloading/printing the page and reading it and learning from that. The end result is the same. You learn if you apply yourself.

Go

Classes online use a variety of software. Blackboard 'types' of programs, bulletin boards, IRC types of meetings, etc. Try to learn what you are most comfortable with and will use to apply yourself.
Find out if you need to 'be there in person', or if you download the lesson, do it, and upload the results.
Get to know someone (or multiple 'someones'). Working together will help you to learn more effectively. Usually, you will end up helping each other over the rough spots. Invariably, students have different weaknesses.

[edit] Tips

Find out your learning style and see if this is something that you can make work.
Print it out and keep it in a notebook. It helps to keep track of your schooling.